Need Advice-Start Helper Job Next Week

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Hey everyone. Ive been reading on this site for a little over a year now. Finally got into welding school at my local tech college here in WA back in late June. Finished all my first quarter competencies a month early and eat breathe and sleep welding. Here is my situation: I wanted to work in an industrial fabrication shop so i set my mind to it and after a month of buggin the hell out of a company they gave me a spot. Its a very well know fabrication shop in the port of Tacoma and they build everything from barges to bridge cassions and everything in between. I got put on as a helper. Now, I feel I am an intelligent person so i already know i have to work hard and prove myself to the company but I want to know what to expect working in an industrial job shop as a helper. I have all my safety gear and tools and plan on bringing a lot with me on my first day. So maybe a little advice from you guys out there that have been in the game and on the actual job site outside a booth. Thanks for your time.
Reply:Every clown in the shop is going to try to pull your chain.  It is all part of the game they think is the traditional way to welcome a new hand.Non illligitumus carborundum  means Don't let the Bass**urds grind you down.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Pay close attention to safety protocols. STICK to them. Keep some spare gloves in your lunchbox, as well as a spare set of safety glasses. If you see your lead is looking for, does not have, needs a piece of safety equipment, deliver it to him without saying much. Just "Here, these are for you." It shows you are looking out for safety for BOTH of you, and that tells them you are keeping an eye on things.Pay attention to what the lead will need next, do not be afraid to ask him what he would like set up next. Make it so that he keeps a decent pace while training you. Be understanding when you make mistakes and get reprimanded. I can't stress this enough. Leads will often be gruff and short with you at work. They don't hate you; they simply don't like mistakes, sloppy set up, etc. And, many times they will let you know in less than cordial terms. Just suck it up, and understand they are not hating on you, they are just not cutting slack for you. When a welder/ fitter/ lead does something that teaches you, when they spend a good minute showing you something important, toss them a simple "Thanks for showing me that." And, that is a good time to ask a "What about this....(Fill in the blank)" You will likely get a positive response.If the lead is an ***, or a lousy worker, then cope with it, and take mental notes how you would do things safer, quicker, better. But do NOT get into this with him. You will be knocked down a notch or 2 fast, and it is not worth it. Also, you might see a guy do something unorthodox; just let him lead, and learn. It may be worthless. It may be a stroke of genius that would take you years to figure out on your own.Good luck.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailEvery clown in the shop is going to try to pull your chain.  It is all part of the game they think is the traditional way to welcome a new hand.Non illligitumus carborundum  means Don't let the Bass**urds grind you down.
Reply:by nadogail;Non illligitumus carborundum means Don't let the Bass**urds grind you down.
Reply:Wonder if you'll have to go looking for the tube stretcher? Man I remember that joke and the stupidvisor yelling at me for as long as I was looking for the stuipd thing ha ha ha.
Reply:DO NOT say.....why don't you do it this way.........my instructor said it should be done this way.......why are you doing that.........Thumb Rules:If you are talking you can't listen.If you are trying to see a better way in your mind, you are not learning the current way.Absorb the experience and knowledge you are privileged to be around. Do not attempt to express yours every given chance...They have more.Show up with quality PPE, gloves, glasses, boots, etc...Show up with ink pen, Blk sharpie, soap stone, and a quality tap measure.Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:I have a sign hanging above the door to the shop. My guys see it every day. It is simple,"if you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. If you are late, you are left." Other advise: ListenWhen guys start making you the blunt end of jokes, roll with it. Don't have a smart *** comebackDon't be afraid to ask questionsGo Cards!!!!!
Reply:I really appreciate the input you all have given me. Pretty much what i expected. Im the type of guy to keep it to the grind stone and know what bosses expect, hard work,listening,safety,puntuality. I cant wait to learn, im a sponge and its like a dream opportunity. Im only 26 and still young so all i will be doing the next year straight will be welding school 5 hrs every morning and work at the job shop every evening. Anxious to see hiw much i will progress and hooefully earn my chance to strike an arc at work on a code weld. Peace guys ill keeo u posted on how my first day goes
Reply:Dont bitch moan and cry if your not welding **** in the first 2 weeks like the last guy that got on here looking for sympathy. Do what your told, dont whine about it "i didnt take this job to sweep the floor"
Reply:Listen. Think, but don't think too much. Don't try too hard to do a good job so that you actually end up screwing up. Be quick to help clean up. Be long on ears and short on words. That's pretty much the stuff I learned when I was at the 'helper' part of my worklife.
Reply:So just an update.. the job is going very well. I busted my *** for 3 days and already got the higher-ups attention. I got offered a chance to start welding for them with T-1 flux core on a huge project that is going for 6 months. they are aware that i am in school and work around that schedule. the shop foreman is taking me under his wing since i proved i want to be there and he is going to teach my all the machines over time and its going to be a great learning experience. the facility is gigantic and they already have over a years worth of contract lined up so I will always have a job there they said if i work hard. with 4 more quarters of school left thats a good thing.
Reply:Sounds like you are doing good and getting off on the right foot. Keep it up and you'll do well..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:thanks i appreciate it.  i love going to work every day. i will admit its one of the most physical jobs ive had, and ive done a lot of them. staking steel. and sweeping a lot. but i have to pay my dues to prove myself. and hopefully in a month or so will be welding for them. but welding isnt everything. i want to learn how to fit too. almost 90% of the work is fitting and prep and maybe 10% welding and gouging. definitely different than the the shop at school. which i always heard people say but never realized. on the job is where you learn to really take your skills to the next level. they do things differently than school and you have to just go with the way they say even if its contrary to the correct way you learned in school. school is definitely a benefit because it gives you an advantage when walking in the dorr but i can truly say i dont know ****. im a sponge though.
Reply:Anything new?Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists